Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 4: Not only conceded in the first half but was almost responsible for Bayern going 2-0 down when he was caught in the middle of the pitch only for the resulting shot to go wide. Was untested in the second half.
Phillipe Lahm – 6: Was reinstated to the starting XI in place of Rafinha. Struggled to cope with Julian Draxler in the first half. Performed better in the second half as part of a refreshed Bayern Munich team. Supplied the assist for Lewandowski’s third goal
Jerome Boateng – 6: Was reasonably comfortable for the 90 minutes. Sometimes struggled with the strength and movement of Bas Dost, but looked far more comfortable in the second half with Javi Martinez alongside him.
David Alaba – 7: Struggled in a similar way to Boateng against Dost. Looked reinvigorated when moved to left-back in the second half and formed a promising partnership with Douglas Costa on the left-wing.
Juan Bernat – 4: Looked vulnerable defensively in the first half which resulted in him being taken off at half-time. Was out of position when it came to the Caligiuri opener.
Arturo Vidal – 6.5: Failed to make any sort of impact in the first half as he was well controlled by a disciplined Wolfsburg midfield. Looked far better in the second half alongside Xabi Alonso in a 4-2-3-1 as he controlled the game and linked defence with attack very well.
Xabi Alonso – 7: Was kept relatively quiet in the first half but looked a lot more like himself in the second as he dominated Wolfsburg in the middle of the midfield and allowed those around him to smash Wolfsburg going forward.
Thiago Alcantara – 4: Was anonymous in the first half as he struggled to get into the game. Ultimately led to his substitution at half-time which contributed massively to the Bavarian side’s success.
Douglas Costa – 7.5: Was arguably Bayern’s sole threat in the first half even though that came from speculative strikes after cutting in from the right-hand side. Looked transformed in the second half as he formed a promising partnership with Alaba. Produced several good cutbacks including one which led to Lewandowski’s fourth goal.
Thomas Muller – 5.5: Produced one of his more low key performances as he struggled to trouble Wolfsburg’s defence in the first half. Was given a bit more freedom with the introduction of Lewandowski but still struggled to make a meaningful impact.
Mario Gotze – 7: Was one of Bayern Munich’s better performers in the first half but still didn’t trouble his marker on a consistent enough basis. Looked far better in the second half as part of a three-man attacking midfield and supplied the pinpoint cross for Lewandowski’s spectacular fith goal.
Substitutes:
Robert Lewandowski – 10: What an impact. Introduced at half-time for Thiago, Lewandowski went on to become the quickest player to score five goals in Bundesliga history (nine minutes), as well as becoming the first player in Bundesliga history to score five goals after coming on as a substitute. Perfect 10 for the Polish centre-forward.
Javi Martinez – 7: Came on at half-time for the unsteady Juan Bernat and formed a confident and secure combination with Jerome Boateng in the heart of the Bayern Munich defence. Also restored Alaba to his best position of left-back where the Austrian excelled.
Joshua Kimmich – NA: Came on for Xabi Alonso in the 78th minute.
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